Open AccessStepping Stones: A Leadership Development Program to Inspire and Promote Reflection Among Women Faculty and Staff
Author(s) -
HoffmannLongtin Krista,
Morgan Zachary S.,
Chism Schmidt Lauren,
Walvoord Emily C.,
Palmer Megan M.,
Dankoski Mary E.
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
to improve the academy
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 2334-4822
DOI - 10.1002/tia2.20059
Subject(s) - optimism , reflection (computer programming) , narrative , psychology , medical education , event (particle physics) , stepping stone , mythology , program design language , pedagogy , computer science , medicine , social psychology , economics , unemployment , programming language , economic growth , linguistics , philosophy , physics , theology , software engineering , quantum mechanics
Women frequently benefit from focused faculty development opportunities not because they need to be “fixed,” but rather it is a means to demonstrate that success, even in chilly environments, is possible. The Stepping Stones program uses a unique design to provide participants with inspiration, time for reflection, and strategies for how to navigate one's career, through hearing about the journeys of successful women. In this article, we describe the program and evaluation results. Post‐event and longitudinal follow‐up surveys indicate that the program and its unique narrative format help to debunk the superwoman myth and leave participants with a sense of optimism about their future careers.